e-voting: Group expresses concern as INEC double speaks

In less than two years to the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hasn’t been sure and have not given their words to Nigerians of its ability to deploy technology for electronic voting that would guarantee a credible and fair election.

A group, ‘The People’s Life Improvement Foundation’ (PLIF) which facilitates the National Consultative Front (NCF) has expressed concern that it might spell doom for the nation, if the electoral umpire didn’t get it right this time.

The group querried INEC for speaking from both sides of its mouth, warning that they shouldn’t disappoint Nigerians.

The President of the foundation Chief Precious Elekima indicated that INEC’s statements and counter statements on electronic voting in 2023 shows that something is wrong with the 2023 general elections already.

He alleged that, previous elections in the country in recent times have thrown up leaders that do not care about the yearnings of the electorate which has almost brought the country to its knees.

So he said Nigerians would not want a repeat of inglorious elections bedevilled by ballot box snatching, use of thugs, guns and security to impose leaders that the people did not elect.

He said the electoral body is yet to convince Nigerians that it is sure to conduct the 2023 general election using Electronic Voting System that will guarantee one man, one vote that will count.

He said with the security situation in the country currently where leadership has failed, it has shown that the only solution to the situation will be for the people to make a clear choice of who leads them without imposition or undemocratic process, through electronics voting

“INEC has in the last sixty days churned out conflicting statements on the one hand from its representative at different fora saying the electronic voting is not feasible in 2023 and on the other hand the Chairman in a counter statement said it is possible or that they are working towards it.

“This shows that the issue of electronic voting is not in the electoral body’s contemplation, an indication that it is not ready for deployment of technology in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“It is based on this fact that we in the People’s Life Improvement Foundation are calling on the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and his team to resign honorably for a team that will guarantee a more credible election where votes will count.

“The INEC chairman should note that this is the era of information and communication technology, where democracy is delivered electronically and since he is not sure of putting electronic mode of election in place his team has no business in that office hence they shoul give way for more capable hands to conduct the 2023 elections.

It is worthy of note that in other climes (USA inclusive), elections are contracted to independent firms and organizations who handle them without interference and with great credibility. Nigeria can equally do so

“Every village in Nigeria is covered by google map using satellites. A serious body can generate any needed data for election using the data in INEC and other bodies within thirty days which will not cost more than $30m to achieve near perfect and credible elections devoid of suspicion and post election litigations.
According to him, INEC does not need much equipments in addition to what they already have to conduct a good election.

Lack of credible elections since 1963 in Nigeria has cost Nigeria and Nigerians a lot and it is even part of the cause of the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970 as well as the insecurity bedevilling the country, Nigeria cannot afford any more the uncertainties.

“We therefore wish to state categorically and unequivocally clear that we do not have confidence in the current INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible elections for Nigeria come 2023, and so, the chairman and his team should throw in the towel and resign.”